Melissa Iwai – författare

"Gigi crafts her Japanese American identity in this ­enchanting early reader. The cuteness, inclusivity, and cross-cultural problem-solving represented will have young ­readers coming back again and again. A must-buy." —School Library Journal (starred review)"The text is well supported by the endearing illustrations, which capture all of Gigi’s big emotions and depict her as a biracial child, with a white father and Japanese mother." —Booklist (starred review)"An affirming option in the quickly diversifying field of early-reader books." —KirkusGigi, a biracial six-year-old girl, learns about her Japanese culture from her grandfather when he comes to visit. Perfect for social emotional learning. Gigi can’t wait for her Ojiji—Japanese grandpa—to move in. Gigi plans lots of things to do with him, like playing tag, reading books, and teaching Roscoe, the family dog, new tricks.But her plans don’t work out quite the way she’d hoped. And her grandpa doesn’t seem to like Roscoe. Will Gigi find a way to connect with her Ojiji?This exciting new I Can Read series is brought to you by author-illustrator Melissa Iwai, whose popular books include Soup Day and Dumplings for Lili.Gigi and Ojiji is a Level Three I Can Read book. Level 3 includes many fun subjects kids love to read about on their own. Themes include friendship, adventure, historical fiction, and science. Level 3 books are written for early independent readers. They include some challenging words and more complex themes and stories. The story contains several Japanese words and a glossary of definitions and pronunciations.Acclaim for Gigi and Ojiji: A 2023 Theodor Seuss Geisel Honor titleEl día de los niños, el día de los libros selection 2023ALSC Notable 2023CBC Teacher and Librarian Favorites Award 2023A Bank Street Best Children's Book of the Year in the 5-9 beginning reader category! (2023)

Gigi wants to go by something besides her baby name—but her full name, Geraldine, is too long to write and Hanako, her middle name, doesn’t feel quite right. Will Gigi find the perfect name?This exciting new I Can Read series is brought to you by author-illustrator Melissa Iwai, whose popular books include Soup Day and Dumplings for Lili.Gigi and Ojiji: What’s in a Name? is a Level Three I Can Read book. Level 3 includes many fun subjects kids love to read about on their own. Themes include friendship, adventure, historical fiction, and science. Level 3 books are written for early independent readers. They include some challenging words and more complex themes and stories. The story contains several Japanese words and a glossary of definitions.Praise for Gigi and Ojiji:"Gigi crafts her Japanese American identity in this ­enchanting early reader. The cuteness, inclusivity, and cross-cultural problem-solving represented will have young ­readers coming back again and again. A must-buy." —School Library Journal (starred review)"The text is well supported by the endearing illustrations, which capture all of Gigi’s big emotions and depict her as a biracial child, with a white father and Japanese mother." —ALA Booklist (starred review)"An affirming option in the quickly diversifying field of early-reader books." —Kirkus ReviewsA 2023 Theodor Seuss Geisel Honor titleEl día de los niños, el día de los libros selection 2023ALSC Notable 2023CBC Teacher and Librarian Favorites Award 2023A Bank Street Best Children's Book of the Year in the 5-9 beginning reader category (2023)A Chicago Public Library Best of the BestA CCBC 2024 Choices for the Books for Beginning Readers category!

A Geisel Honor–winning series! A Chicago Public Library Best of the Best!Join Gigi as she tries natto, a traditional Japanese food, in this exciting and engaging Level Three I Can Read book by acclaimed author and illustrator Melissa Iwai. Intergenerational relationships, Japanese culture, and social and emotional learning are highlighted in this sweet biracial story, perfect for sharing with children 3 to 6. Ohayo! It’s breakfast time and Gigi can’t wait to make her favorite meal—Peanut Butter Toast. Yummy! But Ojiji doesn’t like peanut butter. How can anyone NOT like peanut butter? Ojiji prefers Japanese foods—like natto, made from fermented soybeans. Will Gigi learn to love a new breakfast treat? This story highlights the close relationship of Gigi and her grandfather and the importance of trying new things!This exciting and engaging I Can Read series is brought to you by author-illustrator Melissa Iwai, whose popular books include Soup Day and Dumplings for Lili.Gigi and Ojij: Food for Thought is a Level Three I Can Read book. Level 3 includes many fun subjects kids love to read about on their own. Themes include friendship, adventure, historical fiction, and science. Level 3 books are written for early independent readers. They include some challenging words and more complex themes and stories. The story contains several Japanese words and a glossary of definitions.Praise for Gigi and Ojiji:"Gigi crafts her Japanese American identity in this ­enchanting early reader. The cuteness, inclusivity, and cross-cultural problem-solving represented will have young ­readers coming back again and again. A must-buy." —School Library Journal (starred review)"The text is well supported by the endearing illustrations, which capture all of Gigi’s big emotions and depict her as a biracial child, with a white father and Japanese mother." —Booklist (starred review)"An affirming option in the quickly diversifying field of early-reader books." —KirkusA 2023 Theodor Seuss Geisel Honor titleEl día de los niños, el día de los libros selection 2023ALSC Notable 2023CBC Teacher and Librarian Favorites Award 2023A Bank Street Best Children's Book of the Year in the 5-9 beginning reader category (2023)

A Children’s Book Committee Best Book of the Year!"A cheery, gentle lesson on the importance of “practice makes ­perfect.” —School Library Journal (starred review)A Geisel Honor–winning series!Gigi loves the Japan Day Festival! When Ojiji volunteers at the origami booth, Gigi can’t wait to make a paper crane like Ojiji’s. But folding paper is harder than it looks, and Gigi is disheartened when she sees her paper crane next to Ojiji’s. Will Gigi give up or will she try her best? Author-illustrator Melissa Iwai’s next installment in this I Can Read series encourages readers to try a new activity and to never give up.Gigi and Ojiji: Perfect Paper Cranes is a Level Three I Can Read book, which is geared toward kids who read on their own but still need a little help. The story contains several Japanese words, a glossary, and instructions on how to fold a paper puppy.Praise for Gigi and Ojiji:"Gigi crafts her Japanese American identity in this ­enchanting early reader. The cuteness, inclusivity, and cross-cultural problem-solving represented will have young ­readers coming back again and again. A must-buy." —School Library Journal (starred review)"The text is well supported by the endearing illustrations, which capture all of Gigi’s big emotions and depict her as a biracial child, with a white father and Japanese mother." —ALA Booklist (starred review)"An affirming option in the quickly diversifying field of early-reader books." —Kirkus ReviewsA 2023 Theodor Seuss Geisel Honor titleEl día de los niños, el día de los libros selection 2023ALSC Notable 2023CBC Teacher and Librarian Favorites Award 2023A Bank Street Best Children's Book of the Year in the 5–9 beginning reader category (2023)A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection

Transform any party into a fun-filled, hands-on celebration! Featuring ten birthday themes and more than 70 unique recipes and activities, this DIY guide is the perfect gift for families-and is guaranteed to make a child's next birthday one they'll always remember.Make birthday memories that will last a lifetime!There's nothing quite as special as creating your very own birthday party. In this spectacular DIY birthday planner for children aged three to ten, kids can choose their favorite party theme and assist in making the crafts and recipes associated with each. They'll learn how to bake dinosaur cakes, create robot piñatas, design superhero outfits, decorate their party setting, and so much more. Whether you're hosting a Pirate Cove Party, a Monster Mash Bash, or a Woodland Fairy Fest, every birthday theme will inspire creativity.The designed parties include a craft activity, a decor project with templates, and recipes for a meal, two snacks, and the ultimate birthday cake. Step-by-step instructions, DIY tips and tricks, and a list of materials for each birthday theme make this activity-recipe book the perfect gift that families will return to year after year!

Lili loves to cook baos, and Nai Nai has taught her all the secrets to making them, from kneading the dough lovingly and firmly to being thankful for the strong and healthy ingredients in the filling. But when Nai Nai realises that they are out of cabbage (Secret #8: line the basket with cabbage leaves!) she sends Lili up to Babcia’s apartment on the sixth floor to get some. Babcia is happy to share her cabbage, but she needs some potatoes for her pierogi...What follows is a race up and down the stairs as Lili helps all the grandmothers in her building borrow ingredients for different dumplings: Jamaican beef patties, Italian ravioli, Lebanese fatayer and more. Energised by Melissa Iwai’s engaging artwork and kinetic storytelling, Dumplings for Lili is a joyful story of sharing food, friendship and love in all their forms.

Lili’s apartment building is having a party! Lili heads down to the garden to get Nai Nai green onions for her fried rice recipe. There, she’s visited by all the grandmas in the building, who stop by to get ingredients for their party dishes, bring scraps for Mr Nibbles, the building’s composter, and show Lili the secrets to growing and maintaining a happy garden. When it’s time for the party, everyone brings a different delicious rice dish from around the world–Hashweh from Teta, Arroz Roja from Abuela, Carrot Risotto from Nonna and more. After a busy morning in the garden, Lili is extra proud of the strawberries she’s worked hard to grow! A Garden for Lili is a cheerful, engaging and informing celebration of urban gardening and the ways food connects communities from award–winning picture book creator Melissa Iwai.